Torrington BOE discusses student arrest records

TORRINGTON >> Prompted by the recent tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Torrington schools have made updating school safety procedures an increased priority.

But Board of Education member Andrew Nargi would like to take it one step further.

At Wednesday night's full Board of Education meeting, the board discussed a request Nargi made about the school receiving students judicial records for those who have been arrested. But Nargi learned state laws don't allow for the release of juvenile records to anyone - even schools.

"I find it so disturbing the public does not have a right to know," said Nargi. "The safety and security of students and staff is very much our concern. We as an entity and community have a right to protect our students and staff."

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The request stemmed from the Jan. 2 Board of Education Policy committee meeting, where Nargi expressed concerns regarding the attendance policy at the high school and that some students were in violation of the state attendance statute. As a result, Nargi asked Superintendent Cheryl Kloczko to look into receiving students arrest information.

At Wednesday's meeting, Nargi said the school system's attendance committee referred the attendance records of students who were in violation of the state statute, to the juvenile court system. But Nargi said the records were sent back.

According to the chairman of the board Ken Traub, he said the records were sent back because the juvenile court has more serious problem cases, and did not want to "deal with the (attendance) cases."

The attendance discussion sparked a further conversation about disciplinary and safety issues at the city's schools.

Kloczko informed Nargi she spoke with the person in charge of probation officers at the local juvenile court, and was told if a student is arrested and they are under 18, then his or her file is closed. Kloczko also said this applies if the student is arrested in or outside of school and the only time the school is notified, is when a student goes to a juvenile detention center.

"Students who are arrested and are under 18, their records are closed," said Kloczko. "It (the arrest) follows one of two pathways - charges are filed or the student works with a probation officer."

Nargi said the school should be allowed to know more.

According to the Chairman of the board Ken Traub, the only information the school receives is where to provide services and how much it's going to cost the school.

Despite students confidentiality, Traub said he believes Nargi has a point.